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One of the things that cats are known for is purring, but do Bengal kittens purr? The good news is that they do, and we’re going to explore that topic even more so you’ll learn everything there is to know about Bengal kittens purring.
In this post, we’re going to cover the following:
As mentioned before, Bengal kittens do purr! This noise is familiar to anyone that’s had cats as most cats purr regularly.
Like other cats, Bengal kittens purr instinctively from the time they are very tiny, and although experts aren’t completely sure why they do it, there are a few theories about the reasons behind them making this wonderful little sound.
Here’s a Bengal kitten purring VERY loudly:
There are a few theories on why Bengal kittens purr. Since there’s no way to ask them why they make this sound, we just have to speculate and make educated guesses.
Here are a few theories as to why Bengal kittens purr:
Since kittens can’t meow while nursing, they needed a way to let their mother know that they’re happy and satisfied. So, purring was the solution. By purring, a Bengal kitten can express their happiness to their mother, who often purrs back to express her own happiness to her kittens.
Many Bengal kittens will also purr for their human family to let them know that they are happy. As you’ll find out later, there are lots of ways to get their little purr motor going.
It’s been observed in many cats and kittens alike that when they are in pain or in a stressful situation, they will begin to purr. In this case, it’s not because they are happy or satisfied, but because they want to reassure themselves that all is well.
By purring in stressful situations, kittens can mentally go to their “happy place” of nursing safely with their mothers. This can help them keep calm and relax even when they’re in the vet office or another place that scares them.
If you have a kitten that excessively purrs and it doesn’t seem like there’s a reason behind it, you may need to take them to the vet as sometimes Bengal kittens will purr when they’re in pain, and it could be something you’re not seeing on the outside.
This is another aspect of purring that is not completely understood even by cat experts. The most likely explanation has to do with the way their throat is built.
Members of the cat family that can purr have rigid hyoid bones in the back of their throats which allow their larynx (wind pipe) to vibrate when the cat wants to purr. Members of the cat family that cannot purr have flexible hyoid bones, which allow them to roar.
So, when a Bengal kitten is happy or wants to purr for another reason, they will cause their larynx to start to vibrate which causes air to pass over it a certain way, producing that well-known purring sound.
That’s why when you feel your kitten’s throat while they’re purring, you can feel the vibrations.
Yes! Most Bengal cats purr. Some will do it less often than kittens while others may do it just as often or even more often. Purring is just one of the ways that a Bengal cat uses to communicate with their owners, and since Bengal cats love to interact with their human family, it’s no surprise that they do a lot of purring.
If your Bengal cat purrs more or less than they did as a kitten, don’t be alarmed. Just like people, cats change as they get older. Your Bengal may simply not be using purring to express themselves as much anymore, or have learned to do it more often to please you!
There are so many ways to make your Bengal kitten purr that we’re only going to be able to name a few. Basically, you need to make sure they’re happy, so here are a few ways that you can make your Bengal kitten happy so that they purr for you.
It may sound simple, but sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference to a kitten. The best time to pet a Bengal kitten if you want them to purr is when they’re already relaxed.
If you catch your kitten sleeping or resting comfortably, gently pet them and scratch them behind the ears and under the chin. Let them guide you to their favorite spot to be scratched and you’ll likely soon have a purr going.
Similar to petting, brushing simulates a mother cat cleaning her kittens and so many Bengal kittens love being brushed. It may even get them to purr!
You’ll want to catch them when they’re relaxed to avoid grooming time turning into a game. Introduce them to the brush slowly the first time so they’re not nervous about what you’re touching them with. Then, groom them as often as you want.
The Pet Grooming Glove is a great way to brush your cat while petting them. It can also help you get in those hard-to-reach places on their bodies such as under the chin and behind the ear that a regular brush can’t easily reach.
Another option for brushing your Bengal is the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. What’s great about this one is that it cleans itself, so all you have to do to remove the hair from the brush is push a button! Plus, it works well to get both layers of your cat’s coat brushed out.
Bengals absolutely love to play, and although they may not purr while you are playing with them because they’ll be far too excited, it’s a great way to make them happy and create a stronger bond with them.
There are a number of different toys you can get for your Bengal kitten, so get a few and see which ones are their favorite. Then, play away and wait for a quiet moment to get that purr.
Kittens need to feel safe in their environment, which is why it’s important to provide them with a place to call their own. Kittens love to hide, so make sure they’ve got a couple spots around the house that they can call their own where they can feel safe.
Once your kitten is relaxed in their cave cat bed or on top of their cat tree, they’ll be ready to purr for you when you come to pet them.
Here, you can see two adorable Bengal kittens are quite content all curled up in their cat tree:
Like most cats (and animals in general, for that matter!), kittens love being fed. In fact, many kittens and cats alike will purr in anticipation when you’re feeding them. So, if you want to hear them purr, all you have to do is feed them.
Make sure when you do feed them, you’re using a high-quality, grain-free cat food that will give them the best possible nutrition so they can grow up big and strong. Merrick Purrfect Bistro is a great food for kittens that’s sure to have them happy and purring for more!
Of course! Bengal kittens purr most often because they are happy and do so because of how their throats are built. There are also a number of things that you can do that will encourage your Bengal kitten to purr for you, a sound that all cat-lovers love to hear.
What about you? Do you have a Bengal kitten or cat that loves to purr? What are some ways that you get your Bengal kitten to purr? Share them in the comments below!
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